In
1893, Caleb Bradham, a young pharmacist from New
Bern, North Carolina, begins experimenting with
many different soft drink concoctions. Like
many pharmacists at the turn of the century he
had a soda fountain in his drugstore, where he
served his customers refreshing drinks, that he
created himself. His most popular beverage was
something he called "Brad's drink"
made of carbonated water, sugar, vanilla, rare
oils, pepsin and cola nuts.
One
of Caleb's formulations, known as "Brad's
drink", created in the summer of 1893, was
later renamed Pepsi Cola after the pepsin and
cola nuts used in the recipe. In 1898, Caleb
Bradham wisely bought the trade name "Pep
Cola" for $100 from a competitor from
Newark, New Jersey that had gone broke. The new
name was trademarked on June 16th, 1903.
Bradham's neighbor, an artist designed the first
Pepsi logo and ninety-seven shares of stock for
Bradham's new company were issued.
1898 - One of Caleb's formulations, known as
"Brad's Drink," a combination of
carbonated water, sugar, vanilla, rare oils and
cola nuts, is renamed "Pepsi-Cola" on
August 28, 1898. Pepsi-Cola receives its first
logo.
1902 - The instant popularity of this new drink
leads Bradham to devote all of his energy to
developing Pepsi-Cola into a full-fledged
business. He applies for a trademark with the
U.S. Patent Office, Washington D.C., and forms
the first Pepsi-Cola Company.
The first Pepsi-Cola newspaper advertisements
appeared in the New Bern Weekly Journal.
1903 - "Doc" Bradham moves the
bottling of Pepsi-Cola from his drugstore into a
rented warehouse; he sells 7,968 gallons of
syrup in the first year of operation.
Pepsi's theme line is "Exhilarating,
Invigorating, Aids Digestion."
1904 - Bradham purchases a building in New Bern
known as the "Bishop Factory" for
$5,000 and moves all bottling and syrup
operations to this location. Pepsi is sold in
six-ounce bottles. Sales increase to 19,848
gallons.
1905 - Pepsi-Cola's first bottling franchises
are established in Charlotte and Durham, North
Carolina.
Pepsi receives its new logo, its first change
since 1898.
1906 - Pepsi gets another logo change, the third
in eight years. The modified script logo is
created with the slogan, "The Original Pure
Food Drink."
There
are 15 U.S. Pepsi bottling plants. The Pepsi
trademark is registered in Canada. Syrup sales
rise to 38,605 gallons.
The federal government passes the Pure Food and
Drug Act, banning substances such as arsenic,
lead, barium, and uranium, from food and
beverages. This forced many soft drink
manufacturers, including Coca-Cola,
to change their formulas. Pepsi-Cola, being free
of any such impurities, claimed they already met
federal requirements.
1907 - Pepsi-Cola Company continues to expand;
the company's bottling network grows to 40
franchises. Pepsi-Cola sells more than 100,000
gallons of syrup.
Pepsi trademark is registered in Mexico. Syrup
sales rise to 104,026 gallons.
1908 - Pepsi-Cola becomes one of the first
companies to modernize delivery from horse drawn
carts to motor vehicles. Two hundred fifty
bottlers in 24 states are under contract to make
and sell Pepsi-Cola.
1909 - Automobile race pioneer Barney Oldfield
endorses Pepsi-Cola in newspaper ads as "A
bully drink...refreshing, invigorating, a fine
bracer before a race."
1910 - The first Pepsi-Cola bottlers' convention
is held in New Bern, North Carolina.
1920
- Pepsi theme line speaks to the consumer with
"Drink Pepsi-Cola, it will satisfy
you."
After seventeen
years of success, Caleb Bradham lost Pepsi Cola.
He had gambled on the fluctuations of sugar
prices during W.W.I, believing that sugar prices
would continue to rise but they fell instead
leaving Caleb Bradham with an overpriced sugar
inventory. Pepsi Cola went bankrupt in 1923 and
its assets were sold to a North Carolina
concern; Craven Holding Corporation for $30,000.
Roy C. Megargel, a Wall Street broker, buys the
Pepsi trademark, business and good will from
Craven Holding Corporation for $35,000, forming
the Pepsi-Cola Corporation.
1928 - After five continuous losing years,
Megargel reorganizes his company as the National
Pepsi-Cola Company, becoming the fourth parent
company to own the Pepsi trademark.
1931 - U.S. District Court for Eastern District
Virginia declares the National Pepsi-Cola
Company bankrupt, the second bankruptcy in
Pepsi-Cola history.
In
1931, Pepsi Cola was bought by the Loft Candy
Company Loft president, Charles G. Guth who
reformulated the popular soft drink. Charles G
Guth, president of the Loft company struggled to
make a success of Pepsi. He3 commanded the
reformulation of the Pepsi syrup formula, and
even offered to sell Pepsi to the Coca-Cola
company, who refused to offer a bid.
1933 - By the end of the year, Guth's new
Pepsi-Cola Company is insolvent. In a series of
moves, he acquires Megargel's interest in the
company, giving himself 91% ownership of Pepsi.
1934 - A landmark year for Pepsi-Cola. The drink
is a hit and to attract even more sales, the
company begins selling its 12-ounce drink for
five cents (the same cost as six ounces of
competitive colas). The 12-ounce bottle debuts
in Baltimore, where it is an instant success.
The cost savings proves irresistible to
Depression-worn Americans and sales skyrocket
nationally.
Caleb Bradham, the founder of Pepsi-Cola and
"Brad's Drink," dies at 66 (May 27th,
1867-February 19th, 1934).
1935 - Guth moves the entire Pepsi-Cola
operation to Long Island City, New York, and
sets up national territorial boundries for the
Pepsi bottler franchise system.
1936 - Pepsi grants 94 new U.S. franchises and
year-end profits reach $2,100,000.
1938 - Walter S. Mack, Jr., V.P. of Phoenix
Securities Corporation is elected President of
the Pepsi-Cola Company. Mack, who considers
advertising the keystone of the soft drink
business, turns Pepsi into a modern marketing
company.
1939 - The "Pepsi & Pete" comic
strip introduces the "Twice as much for a
nickel" theme in newspapers.
Pepsi-Cola Company names Mack as CEO.
The Board of Directors removes Guth from the
Pepsi payroll after he plans to personally
acquire a competing cola.
In 1940, the
Pepsi Cola company made history when the first
advertising jingle was broadcast nationally on
the radio. The jingle was "Nickel
Nickel" an advertisement for Pepsi Cola
that referred to the price of Pepsi and the
quantity for that price "Nickel
Nickel" became a hit record and was
recorded into fifty-five languages.
1941 - The New York Stock Exchange trades
Pepsi's stock for the first time.
In support of the war effort, Pepsi's bottle
crown colors change to red, white, and blue.
1942
- One on many company sponsored efforts to allow
soldiers to communicate with friends or family.
This record was made in New York City but often
booths would be set up with mobile recording
equipment that was bought to where the soldiers
were.
Shell material on solid core. 78 rpm.
1943 - Pepsi's theme line becomes "Bigger
Drink, Better Taste."
1948 - Corporate headquarters moves from Long
Island City, New York, to midtown Manhattan.
1950 - Alfred N. Steele becomes President and
CEO of Pepsi-Cola. Mr. Steele's wife, Hollywood
movie star Joan Crawford, is instrumental in
promoting the company's product line.
Pepsi receives its new logo, which incorporates
the "bottle cap" look. The new logo is
the fifth in Pepsi history.
1953 - "The Light Refreshment"
campaign capitalizes on a change in the
product's formula that reduces caloric content.
1955 - Herbert Barnet is named President of
Pepsi-Cola.
1959 - Pepsi debuts at the Moscow Fair. Soviet
Premier Khrushchev and U.S. Vice President Nixon
share a Pepsi.
1960 - Young adults become the target consumers
and Pepsi's advertising keeps pace with
"Now it's Pepsi, for those who think
young."
1962 - Pepsi receives its new logo, the sixth in
Pepsi history. The 'serrated' bottle cap logo
debuts, accompanying the brand's groundbreaking
"Pepsi Generation" ad campaign.
1963 - After climbing the Pepsi ladder from
fountain syrup salesman, Donald M. Kendall is
named CEO of Pepsi-Cola Company.
Pepsi-Cola continues to lead the soft drink
industry in packaging innovations, when the
12-ounce bottle gives way to the 16-ounce size.
Twelve-ounce Pepsi cans are first introduced to
the military to transport soft drinks all over
the world.
1964
- Diet Pepsi, iintroduced as America's first
national diet soft drink. Pepsi-Cola
acquires Mountain Dew from the Tip Corporation.
1965
- Expansion outside the soft drink industry
begins. Frito-Lay of Dallas, Texas, and
Pepsi-Cola merge, forming PepsiCo, Inc.
Military 12-ounce cans are such a success that
full-scale commercial distribution begins.
Mountain Dew launches its first campaign,
"Yahoo Mountain Dew...It'll tickle your
innards."
1970 - Pepsi leads the way into metrics by
introducing the industry's first two-liter
bottles. Pepsi is also the first company to
respond to consumer preference with
light-weight, recyclable, plastic bottles.
Vic Bonomo is named President of Pepsi-Cola.
The Pepsi World Headquarters moves from
Manhattan to Purchase, NY.
1974 - First Pepsi plant opens in the U.S.S.R.
Television ads introduce the new theme line,
"Hello, Sunshine, Hello Mountain Dew."
1976 - Pepsi becomes the single largest soft
drink brand sold in American supermarkets.
The campaign is "Have a Pepsi Day!"
and a classic commercial, "Puppies,"
becomes one of America's best-loved ads. As
people get back to basics, Pepsi is there as one
of the simple things in life.
1977 - At 37, marketing genius John Sculley is
named President of Pepsi-Cola.
1978 - The company experiments with new flavors.
Twelve-pack cans are introduced.
1980 - Pepsi becomes number one in sales in the
take home market.
1981 - PepsiCo and China reach agreement to
manufacture soft drinks, with production
beginning next year.
1982 - Pepsi Free, a caffeine-free cola, is
introduced nationwide. Pepsi Challenge activity
has penetrated 75% of the U.S. market.
1983 - Mountain Dew launches the "Dew it to
it" theme.
1984 - Pepsi advertising takes a dramatic turn
as Pepsi becomes "the choice of a New
Generation." Lemon Lime Slice, the
first major soft drink with real fruit juice, is
introduced, creating a new soft drink category,
"juice added." In subsequent line of
extensions, Mandarin Orange Slice goes on to
become the number one orange soft drink in the
U.S.
Diet Pepsi is reformulated with NutraSweet (aspertame)
brand sweetener.
1985 - After responding to years of decline,
Coke loses to Pepsi in preference tests by
reformulating. However, the new formula is met
with widespread consumer rejection, forcing the
re-introduction of the original formulation as
"Coca-Cola Classic." The cola
war takes "one giant sip for mankind,"
when a Pepsi "space can" is
successfully tested aboard the space shuttle.
By the end of 1985, the New Generation campaign
earns more than 58 major advertising and
film-related awards. Pepsi's campaign featuring
Lional Richie is the most remembered in the
country, according to consumer preference polls.
1986 - Chairman Donald M. Kendall retires and is
succeeded by D. Wayne Calloway. 7-Up
international is acquired in Canada.
Pepsi-Cola acquires Mug Root Beer.
1987 - Pepsi-Cola President Roger Enrico is
named President/CEO of PepsiCo Worldwide
Beverages. Pepsi-Cola World Headquarters
moves from Purchase to Somers, New York.
After a 27 year absence, Pepsi returns to
Broadway with the lighting of a spectacular new
neon sign in Times Square.
1988 - Craig Weatherup is appointed
President/CEO of Pepsi-Cola Company.
1989 - Pepsi lunges into the next decade by
declaring Pepsi lovers "A Generation
Ahead." Chris Sinclair is named
President of Pepsi-Cola International.
Pepsi-Cola introduces an exciting new flavor,
Wild Cherry Pepsi.
1990 - American Music Award and Grammy winner
rap artist Young MC writes and performs songs
exclusively for national radio ads for Pepsi.
Ray Charles joins the Pepsi family by endorsing
Diet Pepsi. The slogan is "You Got The
Right One Baby."
1991 - Craig E. Weatherup is named CEO of
Pepsi-Cola North America, as Canada becomes part
of the company's North American operations.
Pepsi introduces the first beverage bottles
containing recycled polyethylene terephthalate
(or PET) into the marketplace. The development
marks the first time recycled plastic is used in
direct contact with food in packaging.
1992--Pepsi-Cola launches the "Gotta Have
It" theme which supplants the longstanding
"Choice of a New Generation."
Pepsi-Cola and Lipton Tea Partnership is formed.
Pepsi will destribute single serve Lipton
Original and Lipton Brisk products.
Crystal Pepsi: a refreshing, clear soda that is
caffine free, has 100% natural flavors, no
preservatives and is low in sodium, goes
national. Mountain Dew introduces the
popular theme line, "Get Vertical."
1993 - Brand Pepsi introduces its slogan,
"Be Young. Have Fun. Drink Pepsi."
Pepsi-Cola profits surpass $1 billion.
Pepsi introduces an innovative 24-can multipack
that satisfies growing consumer demand for
convenient large-size soft drink packaging.
"The Cube" is easier to carry than the
traditional 24-pack and it fits in the
refrigerator.
1994 - New advertising introducing Diet Pepsi's
freshness dating initiative features Pepsi CEO
Craig Weatherup explaining the relationship
between freshness and superior taste to
consumers. Pepsi Foods International and
Pepsi-Cola International merge, creating the
PepsiCo Foods and Beverages Company.
1995 - In a new campaign, the company declares
"Nothing else is a Pepsi" and takes
top honors in the year's national advertising
championship.
1996 - In February of this year, Pepsi makes
history once again, by launching one of the most
ambitious entertainment sites on the World Wide
Web. Pepsi World eventually surpasses all
expectations, and becomes one of the most
landed, and copied, sites in this new media,
firmly establishing Pepsi's presence on the
Internet.
1997 - In the early part of the year, Pepsi
pushes into a new era with the unveiling of the
GeneratioNext campaign. GeneratioNext is about
everything that is young and fresh; a
celebration of the creative spirit. It is about
the kind of attitude that challenges the norm
with new ideas, at every step of the way.
PepsiCo. announces that, effective October 6th,
it will spin off its restaurant division to form
Tricon Global Restaurants, Inc. Including Pizza
Hut, Taco Bell, & KFC, it will be the
largest restaurant company in the world in units
and second-largest in sales.
1998 - Pepsi celebrates its 100th anniversary.
PepsiCo. Chairman and CEO Roger A. Enrico
donates his salary to provide scholarships for
children of PepsiCo employees. Pepsi
introduces PepsiOne - the first one calorie
drink without that diet taste!
2000 - Although Pepsi is a great place to work,
Steven Truitt (aka 'struitt') takes his skills
and hard work elsewhere (for more money of
course!), therefore putting an end to his Pepsi
page! For more information about Pepsi, choose a
search engine and search for 'Pepsi' or visit
www.pepsi.com or www.pepsico.com.
2005
- Pepsi invited to introduce new brand cola to
celebrate the launch of Solar Navigator .........................
